The VFLW Tigers have suffered their third loss in as many weeks, succumbing to Casey Demons by 18 points on Sunday afternoon at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo.
Richmond welcomed the Bendigo location, with Queen Elizabeth Oval a former home ground for many of the Bendio-based Tigers.
They also introduced two debutants to the side for the clash, Tarsh Bamblett and Laura Bailey.
Richmond were imposing in the first term, as they repeatedly locked the ball in their forward 50. In a congested quarter, they thrived at the contest and kept Casey scoreless.
But, despite their forwards’ drive, the congested play meant Richmond couldn’t gain a clean shot at goal. They struggled to execute and finished the quarter with four behinds.
Casey turned the game on its head in the second term as they scored 18 points and denied Richmond any progress on the scoreboard.
The Tigers were unable to keep up with Casey’s intensity and their inaccuracy cost them. By half time, Casey had raced to a 14-point lead.
Richmond, however, returned from their half time debrief invigorated, composed, and ready for some scoreboard damage.
Spearheaded by Lauren Tesoriero and Sophie Damon, who each claimed a goal, Richmond’s players on the field began to connect and they lifted their communication.
They gained momentum and amassed a huge 16 points in the third term to take a one-point lead at the final change.
But the Tigers were unable to shake a fast-finishing Casey in the final quarter, who snapped three goals to storm away with victory.
As a result, Casey leapfrogged Richmond on the ladder, where they now sit in eighth and ninth positions respectively.
Coach Tom Hunter conceded his side struggled to consistently stick to their desired brand of football over the full four quarters.
“I think the game showed that when we play our way and stick to our processes and the way we want to look, we can be really successful. When we came away from the way we wanted to look, it allowed the opposition into the game,” he said.
But he said the game still outlined many positives, and, most importantly, identified areas to polish.
Hunter praised Courtney Wakefield’s work rate in the forward line, where she collected 14 touches, 10 kicks and five marks.
“Courtney continues to just play her role. She works so hard and we really value what she brings to the side,” he said.
Ever-reliable defender Jacqui Graham had another prolific game in the yellow and black. Her gutsy nature and dominance in possession was on show as she amassed 18 disposals, 10 kicks and eight handballs.
Classy midfielder Lauren Tesoriero played a pivotal role for Richmond, who was dangerous with ball in hand. She lifted her teammates’ intensity around the field as she totalled a team-high performance in disposals (25), kicks (14) and handballs (11).
Richmond’s Round 11 challenge is third-placed NT Thunder, who they will play back at home next Saturday July 21 at 12:00pm.
Coach Hunter said returning to Tigerland after a few weeks on the road should reignite his side’s sense of identity.
“We love coming to Bendigo but to be able to be back at Punt Road, have the rooms that we train at and where we play more often than not, it just gives that sense of familiarity and we really see a confidence in the girls,” he said.
RICHMOND 0.4 0.4 2.8 2.9 (21)
CASEY DEMONS 0.0 2.6 2.7 5.9 (39)
Goals
Richmond: Lauren Tesoriero, Sophie Damon
Casey Demons: Eden Zanker (2), Kasey Guttridge (2), Shae Sloane
